Fortune-telling device for scales



Aug. 24 1926.

H. P. BRUNAUGH FORTUNE TELLING DEVICE FOR SCALES Filed August 4; 1924 1 ll, 1 ,l 1

Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

I 1,596,867 PATENT OFFICE.

v UNITED STATES HARRY P. BRUNAUGH, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN B. VIA'ILING,

OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FORTUNE-TELLING DEVICE roe SCALES.

Application filed August 4, 1924. Serial No. 730,109.

The present invention relates to weighingscales, and the principal object in view is to devise a fortune-telling mechanism which is of simple form and ada ted to be applied to weighing scales of tiie type now in general use. and with particular reference to scales of the coin-controlled type, with a view to enabling a patron of the scales to ascertain his weight and at the same time obtain a fortunetellin'g reading by the op eration of the improved device.

It is further soughtto provide a device of this character particularly adapted for installation in a platform weighing scale, the dial of which is provided with an opening or window for the display of fortune-telling indicia, with which opening or window is also associated a shutter device maintained normally in closed relation, but adapted to be actuated automatically to open position for exposing to view the fortune-telling indicia as often as the scale is operated.

With this general object in view, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of construction which has been devised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which those features deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is an elevation, illustrating a scale embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation, illustrating the interior of the head portion of the machine, and exposing the rear face of the dial, and the operative position of the improved fortune-telling device and its connection to the scale operating rod Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partly broken away,'and illustrating a section on the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional detail view showing a portion of the scale dial and the window or opening therein for exposing the fortune-telling readings, and illustrating the parts of the improved device adjacent to said opening; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating a section on the line V--V of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, this illustrates a weighing scale of the platform type comprising the usual head portion 6 with its dial 7, the column 8 supporting the head portion 6, and the base portion 5) with the usual platform 10. The details of the weighing mechanism for operating the index 1.1 are not illustrated, the present invention residing solely in the fortune telling mechanism for displaying fortunc telling indicia or readings 12 through an opening or window 14: in the dial 7 in response to each operation of the weighing mechanism.

Accordingly, I provide a drum member 15, whichis rotatively mounted on a shaft 16 journalcd for free rotative movement within a suitable bracket 17, which is preferably secured to the rear face of the diai 17, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The arrangement of the bracket 17 is such as to consecutively display the readings 12 on the drum 15 through the window or opening 14, these readings 12 being applied to the drum 15 in any desired manner. One end of the shaft 16 has keyed thereto 21 -suitable ratchet wheel 18 engaged by a leaf spring element 19 the purpose of which .is to help steady the rotative movement of the drum 15, and also to maintain the shaft 16 in proper position within the open bearing recesses 20 in the arms of the bracket 17. On the ends of the shaft 16 are also journaled the ends of a 'pawl-carrying' yoke 21, one leg of which carries a suitable pawl or ratchet member 22 in en gagement wit-h the teeth of the ratchet wheel 18, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Adjacent to the pivot of the pawl or ratchet element 22 is pivotally connected to the pawl carrier 21 the upper end of an operatin arm 23, the lower end portion of which is ent in a horizontal direction and secured to the upper end portion of the actuating rod 24 of the scale mechanism.

the dial 7 adjacent to the arm 30. The upper shutter end of this arm 33 carries a suitable member 35 having dimensions corresponding to the size of the window opening 1%, and adapted to be maintained by the described connections with the rod 2%, normally in closed relation to said opening let, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

The operation of the arrangement and construction above described will be readily understood, from the illustration in the drawing, but may be briefly stated as fol' lows. lVhen the patron steps upon the platform 10, the weighing mechanism will be operated in the usual manner, the scale linger ll automatically registering the weight upon the dial 7. Simultaneously, the lowering of the rod 241 will actuate the arm 23 downwardly, thus causing the ratchet or pawl 22 to impart a partial turn to the ratchet wheel 18. and correspondingly rotate the drum carrying the fortune-telling readings. In practice, aslight turning movement will be imparted to the drum, varying in force with the pressure on the plat'orm It), so that the degree of rotation of the drum will vary with dii'terent pressures on the platform, a quick sharp movement of the rod obviously imparting a more vigorous rotative movement to the drum. Simultaneous with the depress on oil the arm 23, the arm will be raised to elevate the shutter element above the opening ll, tor the proper display of the indicia on the drum 1.5 which may be opposite the opening 14rwhen the drum comes to rest. As soon as the patron steps off the platform 10, the parts will automatically be restored to initial position by the usual operation of the return mechanism of the scale, with the exception that the drum 15, of course, remains at rest, the ratchet or pawl 22 simply moving forward over teeth of the wheel 18 without affecting the position of the drum.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In platform weighing scales, in combi nation with the scale dial and platform-actuated rod, a freely movable member carrying tortunelelling indicia, said dial having an opening tor separately exposing the indicia on said member, means connecting said member with said rod for imparting intermittent movement to said member in response to pressure on the platform, and a shutter normally closing said opening and provided with means causing said shutter to move into open position simultaneously with each operative movement of said member.

2. In platform weighing scales, in combination with the scale dial and platformactuatedf rod, a freely movable member carryingt'ortune-telling indicia, said dial having an opening for separately exposing the imlieia on said member, means connecting said member with said rod for imparting intermittent movement to said member in response to pressure on the platform, and a shutter normally closing said opening, and means responsive to pressure on the platform :tor actuating said shutter into open position simultaneously with each operative movement of said member. 7

3. In platform weighing scales, in combi nation with the scale dial and platformactuated rod, a freely rotatable drum carrying fortune-telling indicia, said dial having an opening for separately exposing the indicia on said drum, a shutter normally closing said opening, means connecting said drum with said rod for imparting intermittent rotative movement to said drum in response to pressure on the platform, and means actuated from said rod for moving said shutter into open position simultaneously with each rotative movement of the drum.

In witness whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

HARRY P. BRUNAUGH. 

